Land Protection Specialist in Glyndon, Minnesota

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in 69 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/about-us to learn more.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Nature Conservancy seeks an experienced real estate professional to be part of a team working to protect high quality natural areas in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The current focus of this position will be to acquire fee-title and conservation easements on native prairie, primarily in western and northwestern Minnesota. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, high caliber, results-oriented team focused on conserving some of the best natural areas in MN, ND, and SD. The work is fast-paced, challenging, and highly rewarding. The position provides great opportunity to collaborate with the major conservation organizations and agencies in Minnesota.

The Land Protection Specialist (LPS) for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota is responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive program to protect natural areas and habitats for plants, animals and natural communities. The LPS is responsible for day-to-day activities of the Conservancy’s land protection program in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota which includes negotiation, acquisition, and disposition of land and conservation easements, cooperative acquisition with government partners, and development and implementation of landscape level land protection plans. The LPS will work with landowners, Conservancy staff, citizens, corporations, and local, state, and federal agency professionals to promote protection programs on public and private land.

The LPS will travel extensively around the state of Minnesota and may travel to selected locations in North Dakota and/or South Dakota. The preferred office location is in the Glyndon, Minnesota office of the Conservancy at Bluestem Prairie. Bluestem Prairie Preserve is recognized as one of the largest and highest quality northern tallgrass prairies in the U.S. Other possible locations could be in an existing TNC office in Minnesota. He/she is supervised by the Director of Protection, supervises no paid staff, and works with volunteers.

Travel requirements- 25-50% time. Essential to the success of this position is significant landowner cultivation efforts which require substantive travel in high priority conservation landscapes. Close coordination with the real estate and legal staff in the Minneapolis office is also essential and will require significant travel to and from Minneapolis.

This position is funded with grants from the State of Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment and is contingent on continued receipt of adequate funding. Currently, funding from grants in hand and grants pending final approval from the State should support the position for the next 2.5 years and additional grant requests were submitted in May. Extendable subject to additional funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Protect significant natural areas and priority landscapes in Minnesota and possibly North Dakota, and South Dakota through the use of the full range of protection tools including fee-title acquisition, conservation easements, leases, administrative protection programs (e.g. CRP, RIM), and other methods. This position will work on selected public grant projects and may assist with grant reporting.
• Working with field staff, identify top-priority landowners in all focus areas within the LPS’ landscape. Develop and implement a comprehensive landowner outreach and cultivation effort. This effort will explicitly include a dedicated focus on ‘searching for the big-deals.’
• Participate in a team effort with the Director of Protection and TNC field staff to proactively implement landscape conservation and protection plans in cooperation with public and private partner organizations, agencies, and individuals.
• Working with field staff, cultivate key relationships in priority conservation areas including local officials and key influencers.
• Respond to land protection inquiries and opportunities as appropriate, and represent the Conservancy to land owners, members, citizen groups, and local officials. Work with Director of Protection, and Conservancy professional, administrative, and field staff members as needed to complete projects and follow TNC policies and procedures.
• Where and when appropriate, work with field office staff and federal, state, and local government officials to protect natural lands for public ownership. Consistent with field office strategic plan and ecoregional portfolio designs, work with Director of Protection on transfers of existing Conservancy land to appropriate owners.
• Identify and help secure public and private funds to support program.
• Help increase internal and external capacity for conservation.
• Exercise proper financial management, meeting budgets, controlling costs, and recovering costs on cooperative transactions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in real estate, conservation science, natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally in English.
• Must have valid driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A deep and demonstrated passion for natural resource conversation.
• Proven experience completing real estate fee title and conservation easement acquisitions.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to community effectively with a wide range of people, including rural landowners, the public, corporate executives, volunteers, staff of governmental agencies, and scientists in both written and verbal communications.
• An unwavering attention to detail complemented by an ability to keep focused on the big picture.
• Proven strong organizational skills and thoroughness.
• Ability to set priorities and organize time efficiently. Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple, complex projects simultaneously.
• A relentless drive for excellence.
• Proven conflict resolution skills.
• Proven ability to get beyond positional-based negotiations and focus parties on interest-based negotiations. Demonstrated negotiation results.
• Creative problem solving skills. Demonstrated experience developing creative solutions to difficult problems.
• Well-developed project management skills and techniques.
• Proven ability to work independently, beginning and completing large and complicated transactions or projects.
• Proven ability to work with team members including legal, administrative, philanthropy, science and preserve management staff of TNC or partner organizations engaged in conservation in Minnesota.
• Financial management and budgeting skills and experience.
• Comfort following detailed policies and procedures that require strict adherence during the transactional process.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource conservation.
• Knowledge of Minnesota’s native prairies, their ecology and natural history, and the threats and opportunities for their future conservation.
• Knowledge of the various conservation programs available to rural landowners in Minnesota.
• Experience working with partners engaged in conservation in Minnesota.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, up to 50% time, sometimes for extended periods, on short notice.
• Basic competencies using ArcMap GIS software and Microsoft Office (including Powerpoint).

Additional beneficial skills and experiences include:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with grant writing.
• Experience raising private funds.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to position number 44332, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 20, 2016.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org. *LI-NC1

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of _**The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process._**

Position Title: Land Protection Specialist

Job ID: 44332

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Location: Minnesota